Demolition

According to the By-Law concerning the demolition of buildings, a demolition is defined as an intervention carried out in one or more stages, resulting in the total or partial destruction of the floors, exterior walls, or roofs of an immovable.

The following works constitute a demolition and require a demolition permit:

For a heritage building or a Category 1* building:

• Demolition of more than 20% of the combined surface area of the exterior walls (opening or piercing through the full thickness) and roof;
  or
• Demolition of more than 50% of the floor area (opening or piercing through the full thickness).

For a Category I, II or III building, or an unclassified building, except for accessory buildings built after 1940, as defined in the By-law on Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programmes in effect:

• Demolition of more than 50% of the combined surface area of the exterior walls (opening or piercing through the full thickness) and roof;
  or
• Demolition of more than 50% of the floor area (opening or piercing through the full thickness).

For any immovable, except for accessory buildings built after 1940, demolition of more than 50% of the main façade;

For an accessory building:

• Demolition of more than 50% of the combined surface area of the exterior walls (opening or piercing through the full thickness) and roof.

• Do you know the historical value of your property?
• Did you read By-law 1609 concerning demolition, including the percentage for demolition and the evaluation criteria?

An application for authorization for demolition must be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction by the owner of the immovable to be demolished or his authorized representative, using the form provided for this purpose. This form must be duly completed and signed by the owner or authorized representative, and accompanied by the following documents:

• The name and contact information of the owner, authorized representative, and professionals involved, including the contractor;
• The power of attorney signed by the owner establishing the authorization of any person to act on his behalf for the application, if applicable;
• Certificate of location including existing structures and easements;
• A document presenting the application for authorization for demolition, including at least:
  • The current occupation of the immovable;
  • Photographs of the interior and exterior of the immovable covered by the application;
  • Photographs of the structures and installations located on the property on which the immovable covered by the application is located, as well as photographs of the surrounding area;
  • A plan showing the proportion of the immovable to be demolished and a detailed calculation of the applicable demolition percentage;
  • The motives justifying the application for authorization for demolition rather than a conservation or restoration approach;
  • The motives justifying the application for authorization for demolition with regard to the evaluation criteria set out in this By-law;
  • A plan showing the position of any existing tree on the property with a trunk of 0.1 m (4 in.) or more in diameter, measured 1.0 m (4 in.) above the ground.
• A heritage study carried out by a professional competent in this field, who is not the one mandated to carry out the preliminary program for the reuse of the vacated land, including the heritage value of the immovable (archaeological, architectural, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, landscape, scientific, social, urban planning, or technological), its state of conservation, and the methodology used;
• A report on the condition of the building, prepared by a qualified professional. The report must include identification and description of the condition of components and systems, deficiencies and corrective work required for repair or renovation;
• An evaluation report of the restoration, repair or renovation costs identified in the report referred to in Paragraph 6°, prepared by a qualified professional;
• A report by a qualified professional or the contractor commissioned to carry out the demolition, describing:
  • The methods of deconstruction / demolition;
  • The measures taken for the storage, reuse, and disposal of materials, specified by type of material, including:
    • Structural wood;
    • Plaster panels;
    • Gypsum;
    • Floor coverings;
    • Shingles;
    • Cement / concrete;
    • Asphalt;
    • Metals;
    • Brick;
    • Masonry;
    • Slate;
    • Stone.
  • The measures taken to control dust and secure the site of neighbouring buildings, where applicable.
• A preliminary program for the reuse of the vacated land, including:
• The intended use;
  • A brief description of the interventions to be carried out, in terms of construction (height, volume, surface area, siting, etc.), architecture (architectural parti, main components, etc.), and landscaping. One or more preliminary sketches must be submitted to illustrate the description;
  • The completion schedule;
  • The preliminary estimate of the program costs.
• The schedule of the demolition work;
• Proof of any notice sent pursuant to Article 4.3 (Notice to tenants) when the immovable includes one or more occupied dwellings;
• The terms of relocation and reintegration of tenants when the immovable includes one or more occupied dwellings;
• Any other documents required to review the authorization application in the light of the criteria set out in this By-law.

Once all the necessary information is gathered, you can submit your application online or in person at the Urban Planning Department at City Hall.

• The applicable fees include the file analysis fees. Please note that the fees related to the issuance of the permit or authorization certificate, if applicable, will be added to this amount.
• The cost of the permit or authorization certificate, if applicable, is calculated based on the cost of the work.

Consult the tariffs by-law for up-to-date rates.

Once the application has been reviewed, the applicant will receive a follow-up by email. 

Even if the application has been authorized, the issuance of the permit or certificate, if applicable, is not automatic; the applicable fees must be paid and certain documents must be submitted. 

An official quote from the contractor including the detailed cost of the proposed work, before taxes, must be submitted.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Minutes – Resolution
• Watch the meeting

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on June 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcasted live (link above).

During the question period, those present in the room will be able to step forward toward the microphone.  Those attending the meeting online will be able to submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains in the question period and only when people in the room have had a turn to speak.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Public meeting agenda
• Recording of the public meeting – May 5
• Minutes – Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcasted live (link above). 4 files will be considered at this meeting.

During the question period, those present in the room will be able to step forward toward the microphone.  Those attending the meeting online will be able to submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains in the question period and only when people in the room have had a turn to speak.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Public meeting agenda
• Recording of the public meeting – May 5
• Minutes/Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcasted live (link above). 4 files will be considered at this meeting.

During the question period, those present in the room will be able to step forward toward the microphone.  Those attending the meeting online will be able to submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains in the question period and only when people in the room have had a turn to speak.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Public meeting agenda
• Recording of the public meeting – May 5
• Minutes - Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcasted live (link above). 4 files will be considered at this meeting.

During the question period, those present in the room will be able to step forward toward the microphone.  Those attending the meeting online will be able to submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains in the question period and only when people in the room have had a turn to speak.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• No comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Public meeting agenda
• Recording of the public meeting – May 5
• Minutes - Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcasted live (link above). 4 files will be considered at this meeting.

During the question period, those present in the room will be able to step forward toward the microphone.  Those attending the meeting online will be able to submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains in the question period and only when people in the room have had a turn to speak.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Public meeting agenda
• (Recording) Public Meeting of the Demolition Committee, February 17, 2022 at 4 p.m.
• Comments received during the 10-day period following de public notice
• Minutes - Resolution

• Public Notice
• Presentation
• Recording of the Public meeting of the Demolition Committee, Dec. 9, 2021
• Public Meeting Agenda
• Comment received during the 10-day period
• Minutes - Resolution

• Public Notice
• Presentation
• Agenda
• Public meeting of the Demolition Committee, Oct. 7, 2021
• Comment received during the 10-day period
• Minutes - Resolution

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Minutes - Resolution

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Minutes - Resolution

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Watch the meeting on YouTube
• Minutes – Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcast live (link above). Three (3) files will be considered at this meeting.

The public attending the meeting at City Hall will be able to ask questions during the question period.

Those attending the meeting online can submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains, and priority will be given to questions in the room.

• Public notice
• Presentation
• Watch the meeting on YouTube
• Minutes – Resolution

A public sitting of the Demolition Committee will take place on May 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 4333 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount and will be broadcast live (link above). Three (3) files will be considered at this meeting.

The public attending the meeting at City Hall will be able to ask questions during the question period.

Those attending the meeting online can submit a written comment or question via the Q&A tool, available on the Zoom platform. These will be addressed if time remains, and priority will be given to questions in the room.